Thousands of Australians welcomed the Ahmadiyya Muslim Members spreading the message of peace, love, harmony and loyalty to the homeland.

Ahmadiyya Muslim participants of the parade gather at Royal Botanical Gardens Melbourne

On 26th of January 2015 more than 100 members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Victoria took part in world famous ‘Australia Day Parade Melbourne’ as part of its annual Australia Day Celebrations. Members of all ages from all over Victoria marched through the famous streets of Melbourne reciting Kaleema-e-Shahadah (Islamic Creed) and promoting the message of ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’ & ‘love of country is part of faith’.

Thousands of Australians welcomed and cheered the Ahmadiyya Muslim Group as they carried the message of peace, love, harmony and loyalty to the homeland. The approximately 2 kilometre long Australia Day parade started at 11:00am. Thousands of people lined the roads to see the parade and to show their support for the participants.

Ahmadiyya participants were all seen wearing ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’ T-shirts and singing ‘Long Live Australia’ in their melodious voices.

Participants also carried a banner of the saying of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace be upon him) that read, “Love of Country is Part of Faith”. When the Ahmadiyya participants reached at the stage the following introduction to the community was read by the organizers of the parade:

“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, whose motto is ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’ is a revival movement within Islam. Ahmadiyya Muslim Faith emphasizes upon loyalty to homeland, equality, freedom, respect, peace, love, harmony and interfaith dialogue. Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim faith believe that the long awaited Messiah has come in the form of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian the founder of Ahmadiyya Muslim Faith.

The mission of Ahmadiyya Muslim faith is to serve humanity and to establish universal peace and brotherhood which is continued through spiritual successorship (Khilafat) of the Promised Messiah. Members of Ahmadiyya Muslim community span in more than 200 countries worldwide and are involved in various humanity projects which include Free Hospital & Health Care, Education & Schools, Drinking Water projects and Sustainable Environment Energy projects, all primarily in third world countries. Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Victoria enthusiastically participate in community activities such as ‘Australia Day’, ‘Red Cross Door Knock Appeal, ‘Clean-Up Australia Day’, ‘Blood Donation Drives’, ‘Charity Walks’ , ‘Interfaith Forums’ and ‘Tree Plantings’ and ‘sustainable environment energy projects’.

Ahmadi Muslim participants with ‘Love of country is part of faith’ banner

Parade participant march past thousands of Melbournians

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believes that serving humanity is the way of putting their faith into practice to become a role model for the coming generations. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believes that love and loyalty to the homeland is part of faith. They claim to be proud Australians and proud Muslims. Long Live Australia.”

Victorian head of the Ahmadi Muslim Youth Mr Kaleem Ahmad with his kids

More than 20 kids were amongst the participants of the parade

Ahmadi Muslim youth proudly displaying national flags

Imam Wadood Janud of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Victoria said,

“It was an overwhelmingly great experience to participate in Australia Day parade with the theme of loyalty to homeland and to show our respect and loyalty and to tell everyone who we are and what we stand for.” He said, “I personally emphasized members to come out in numbers and show their support for their beloved homeland.”

Earlier, on the morning of 26th of January, Ahmadi Muslim members from Frankston and Cranbourne area gathered at ‘Bait-ul-Salam’ (House of Peace) mosque Langwarrin at 04:00AM where they offered special prayers for the progress and prosperity of homeland Australia. Imam Janud delivered short sermon of Islam’s teachings of loyalty and peace. He said the Holy Prophet of Islam (SAW) has famously said that love of one’s country of residence is part of faith and we, the Ahmadi Muslims, must remember this Hadith and should strive hard to serve the nation in best possible manner.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association will be hosting its annual Australia Day dinner on Saturday 31st of January at their mosque in Langwarrin. Local MP’s, councillors and other dignitaries, as well as neighbours and friends are expected to attend this event.

Members hear early morning sermon by Imam Janud about Islam’s teachings of loyalty to homeland